Tope currently serves as the Deputy Independent Consultant for one of the world’s largest financial institutions. She is responsible for overseeing a team that is reviewing the implementation of improvements to the institution's corporate governance, OFAC sanctions and BSA/AML compliance policies. She frequently advises clients under investigation by the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission and New York County District Attorney’s Office. Tope routinely provides conducts global investigations pertaining to US law including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) and False Claims Act (FCA).

Tope has also represented corporations in various employment related matters including discrimination claims, wage and hour disputes and inquiries from the Department of Labor. She frequently provides clients with guidance on employee manuals, social media issues and compliance training on federal, state and local laws.

Representative matters include:

Representing an individual in Swiss and potential U.S. related inquiries regarding the FIFA corruption prosecution.

Representing a CEO and General Manager of a multi-national company in an FCPA investigation by DOJ and SEC.

Defending a pharmaceutical company in a Department of Justice investigation involving claims regarding off-label promotion.

Leading an internal investigation and successfully negotiating a favorable resolution for an export company with the Inspector General of the Export Import Bank of America and the Department of Justice.

Succeeded in a summary judgment motion in the Southern District of New York in an age discrimination and retaliation case. The Second Circuit affirmed the SDNY decision.

Conducting internal employment investigations and successful negotiations for multiple clients involving matters before DOJ, New York County District Attorney’s Office, and various divisions of the Department of Labor.

Supervising large teams of attorneys in connection with internal investigations involving FCPA, FCA and FIRREA claims.

Advising companies regarding development of comprehensive compliance programs in anti-corruption and employment matters.

Conducting training programs for employers regarding compliance with federal, state and local employment laws.

Previous Work

Prior to joining Arent Fox, Tope was a litigation summer associate for the firm. She was also the inaugural Diversity Scholarship Recipient in 2006.

Publications, Presentations & Recognitions

Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) Rising Star, 2016

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Fellow, 2015

In 2012 and 2016, Tope received the firm's Albert E. Arent Pro Bono Award for outstanding contribution to the public interest.

While attending law school, Tope was a staff member of the Journal of Gender and Law.

Tope's speaking engagements include:

National Employment Law Council, April 2016 and April 2017

Institute of Inclusive Security’s 14th Annual Colloquium: Strengthening Peacemakers Around the World on January 16, 2013 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The participants represented a wide range of countries including Colombia and Liberia and are involved in all sectors of their communities at the government, non-profit, and civil society levels.

Life Beyond the Law

Tope is an avid college basketball fan and follows the Maryland Terps closely. She also enjoys cooking, volunteering and serving as a mentor to high school and college students. Tope is an Adjunct Lecturer in Law at Columbia University School of Law. Tope’s Legal Practice Workshop focuses on brief writing skills.

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